Giants offensive lineman David Diehl confirms move to left guard

William Perlman/The Star-LedgerGiants offensive lineman David Diehl will play left guard.

David Diehl confirmed that he will open training camp as the starting left guard — not the starting left tackle. That means William Beatty will start at left tackle and David Baas will play center while Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie remain on the right side of the line. It's another part of a line shakeup that included releasing Rich Seubert and Shaun O'Hara.

"They told me I was moved to left guard," Diehl said. "Obviously with Rich gone and Shaun gone, they needed to move me to solidify and help with offensive line in the middle. I've always been a team guy. I've always been a guy up to a challenge. That's one of the things I've always done."

In last season's training camp, Beatty took significant snaps at left tackle with Diehl at guard. But Diehl eventually beat Beatty out for the spot, and the five linemen that helped the Giants win the Super Bowl in 2008 remained in place.

"Last year, I wasn't really told for sure," Diehl said. "As of now, I'm starting at left guard, that's what I'm focused on now. Until anything else happens, that's what they've told me i[m playing, I'm playing. I think I have a little bit better of idea this year knowing what I'm going into than last year."

Beatty has started six games in his career, but the Giants drafted him in the second round in 2010 with hopes of him developing into the starting left tackle. Tom Coughlin identified Beatty as a player who needs to step up this season.